Outside the arena.
The crowd gathered.
Baimu's exchange with Ya Mei had sparked a little discussion.
After all, she had suddenly dropped to the ground, and he had walked off without helping her up.
Had they argued?
What had happened? Everyone was curious.
Unfortunately, the stands in the medium-sized arena were too far from the field, and the Rotom Drone had already been recalled. They hadn't heard a word the two had said.
Lisia handed Baimu his food and drink, now cold, and asked curiously, "What did you say to that girl, Ya Mei?"
"I chewed her out!"
Baimu declared righteously, "She mocked me and Wallace. I can put up with her mocking me, but not Wallace!"
Brock and the others stared at him in disbelief.
He had chewed someone out?
Baimu, of all people?
To them, Baimu had always been gentle and composed, someone who doted on his Pokémon. They couldn't imagine him doing anything as heated as that.
Lisia, however, raised an eyebrow and turned toward the arena without a word.
Dawn and Piplup hurried to stop her. "Lisia! Don't do anything rash! Lisia, you're a Pokémon Contest idol!"
"Pip-lup!"
"She dared to speak ill of my uncle! I can't let that go without giving her a piece of my mind!"
The girl spoke through gritted teeth.
Iris urged her, "Don't stoop to that childish girl's level. There are too many unreasonable people in the world!"
"Exactly," Wally agreed with a quick nod.
Brock looked puzzled. "Why would Ya Mei mock Wallace? He's the uncrowned king of Coordinators and a former Champion of Hoenn!"
Baimu said, "Because she looks down on Coordinators. She thinks they're just playing dress-up."
"What!?"
"Pip!?"
Dawn and Piplup bristled and marched toward the arena.
Iris and Wally rushed to stop her too. "Calm